Pack your bags for Sao Paulo: Take a tour of ESPN Brazil’s studios

Editor’s note: Recently, ESPN Images photographer Joe Faraoni visited ESPN’s Latin American studios in Brazil and Argentina. In the pictures above and text below, here’s a look at the Brazil portion of his trip; later on Front Row, he’ll take you on a tour of the Buenos Aires facilities.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL — It was dark when I landed after an 11-hour flight from the United States.

Initially there was not a lot to see from the plane on our approach to the city, just the contour of the earth. Sao Paulo, one of the largest urbanized centers in the world, didn’t seem at first glance that different from a large city in the United States. But once I landed — wow — what a thriving, throbbing beehive of activity this city of 20 million-plus people is! The energy was contagious.

My next few days were jam packed. Car rides, tight schedules, people waiting for me to shoot them and the sets.

When I arrived at the ESPN Brasil offices on Tuesday morning the lobby, with its ESPN-red seating area, multiple TV monitors and ESPN logo made me feel right at home. After Renata Netto, head of the newsroom, met me and showed me around the studios, I felt I was in my element. Studios, cameras, SportsCenter set, all seemed very similar to those found in ESPN’s Bristol, Conn. headquarters.

The folks were more than helpful. They were especially excited to tell me about their newest technological installation: a robotic studio (remote control cameras) to be installed in early 2013. Everyone’s enthusiasm reminded me of the way I felt when I first interviewed at ESPN and was taken on a campus tour. It was all new and exciting.

The hallways of ESPN Brasil are lined with a “Walk of Fame” made up of signed concrete impressions of famous Brazilian athletes’ hands and feet. It was a gallery of Formula One and Indy drivers, famous footballers and even X Games stars.

After a few days in Sao Paulo, I was off to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Visit Front Row this weekend for that story.

About ESPN Brazil
ESPN in the United States and Brazil might convey their messages in two different languages but they are united in their passion for sports and speak the universal language of fans. ESPN has remained true to the its brand around the world and that is clearly evident in Brazil. The SportsCenter set looks and feels the same as it does in Bristol but the commentators are nationally recognized, Portuguese-speaking journalists. É Rapidinho and Bate-Bola are Brazilian version of the United States’ PTI and Around the Horn. For more information about ESPN Brazil, click here.